By Ian Grant
Birmingham 0 Arsenal 2
This could be a much needed turning point in the season.
The average age of the Arsenal team was 22 – and the back four just 20. And given neither backs – Larsson and Flamini had rarely played there before, prior to Wednesday – part of the victory plaudits should go down to Keown, Primorac, the Arsenal back-room staff and of course Arsene Wenger, who has handled things since Wednesday with fortitude and magnanimity.
Birmingham had three ex-Arsenal players – Upson, Pennant and Gray, three ex-Chelsea, one ex-Manc and one ex-Liverpudlian, plus Taylor and Latka. With two big men – Sutton and Heskey and tricky wingers, the makeshift defence was bound to come under aerial bombardment.
Henry had a snap shot but it hit his striking partner, Adebayor.
Lehmann pulled off a good early save from Birmingham lead scorer, Jarosik as he powered past Senderos.
Adebayor started in a 4-4-2 with Henry and Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby, Reyes across the middle. The Togo international went on a good run on the left at pace.
Reyes shot straight at Taylor on 20 on a breakaway.
Fabregas and Henry linked up and the ball went to Diaby on the right. His shot rebounded off Latka and Taylor – and Adebayor headed the ball down and into the net on 21. A scrappy, lucky goal – but just what the team, and the Nigerian born forward needed.
Pennant soon after, set up Heskey but he hit the side netting with a powerful header.
Arsenal were trying a more direct style with long balls to reach Adebayor in the Birmingham area [YES, LONG BALLS FOR A TARGET MAN IN THE OPPOSITION AREA!].
The impressive Djourou made a good block on Jarosik. Then Reyes went on a run and won a corner. Adebayor took a shot but Taylor saved.
Sutton was backing-in a lot, as is his style, and conceding fouls.
Larsson was booked for a foul.
Diaby broke forward menacingly several times.
Reyes ended in agony when he shot near the corner with no-one near. But he returned after treatment on his right ankle three minutes later.
Heskey and Sutton continued to give fouls away.
Early in the second half, Senderos cleared from Butt.
Diaby played a neat reverse ball to Henry.
Pennant became more of a threat.
Djourou performed a great recovery tackle on Sutton – but was penalised.
Lehmann, who had a good afternoon, punching crosses and constantly talking to hsi defenders, pulled off another save from Jarosik.
Arsenal were looking dangerous on the break. Diaby took on four players, passed to Henry and Reyes’ attempt was cleared for a corner.
Gilberto, with space and time, wasted a free-kick from Henry.
And Diaby continued to seek to find Henry like a homing pigeon.
Heskey was booked for a high boot on Senderos’s chest.
On 69, Fabregas on a breakaway, released Henry who sped clear of Latka and fired past Taylor for 200th goal [and 15th this season in the Premiership] – in front of the Arsenal contingent.
Upson hit the upright from a ball bouncing in the Arsenal area.
Sutton got an inevitable yellow for a foul on Djourou.
Pennant continued to create an aerial threat for Sutton and Heskey and Jarosik. And Sutton headed down for Heskey –but the shot was deflected wide.
Forssell and DJ Campbell came on for Birmingham for Izzet and Jarosik and they went 4-3-3 with Sutton dropping back.
Diaby pulled back Butt and got his second yellow card in Arsenal colours.
Campbell, who was very lively, was stopped in full flight by Gilberto in the area after ghosting past Djourou.
Hleb came on as substitute for Reyes on 79.
Heskey went in with an elbow raised on Flamini and got a second yellow from Mike Riley on 83, and didn’t want to go off.
Henry and Adebayor continued to link up well. And Arsenal towards the end started to pass down the clock.
The very lively Campbell set up Forssell but he was ruled offside.
After the match, Thierry Henry said the team had many critics after Wednesday – but with the two inexperienced backs it was very hard being behind. Although he alluded to the fact that how old you are is irrelevant, he credited the behind the scenes work on the back four in the last two days. And he said that scoring two and keeping a clean sheet away from home was an achievement given this season’s results.
Arsene Wenger, bombarded by questions about Sol Campbell, confirmed the England centre back will be back in training on Monday. Wenger said he will work to get back in the team – and was much needed for the final sprint of the season. He said: “If he gets focused and sharp, he’ll play. We’ll help him to get back quickly and focus on the game.”
On the match, Wenger said: “We stood up today and showed greater determination and great physical strength. We added some size to the sqaud – and it was useful. The spirit was great, the focus was great. Overall we have shown a great response.
“For a few weeks now I feel the team has been back on track – and the team has not been rewarded. But today we got the points.
“Adebayor had a great start. His presence was great today but still needs to work a little physically. He looks promising and had a promising performance. From the team we only had good performances.”
“Red Army” chants were incidentally substituted now and again for “Diaby” and the Frenchman has now inherited the Vieira song.
Birmingham: Taylor, Melchiot, Latka, Upson, Gray, Pennant, Izzet, Butt, Jarosik, Sutton, Heskey
Subs: Vaesen, Bruce, Tebily, Forssell, Campbell
Arsenal: Lehmann, Senderos, Djourou, Flamini, Larsson, Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby, Reyes, Henry, Adebayor
Subs: Almunia, Pires, Hleb, Bergkamp, Walcott